Examining Learning and Memory in Drosophila melanogaster Fragile X Mutants
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Presentation
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Proposal
Fragile X syndrome is a broad-spectrum neurological disorder, and one outcome of the Fragile X mutation is memory loss. The Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) in Drosophila Melanogaster (dFMR1) displays complete functional conservation from Drosophila to humans. A Drosophila model for Fragile X syndrome, as per the loss of the dfmr1 activity, was used to examine short-term memory defects in the mutated flies. A courtship conditioning assay will be used to test learning and memory in the dFMR1 mutant flies in order to determine whether courtship attempts decrease in response to continuous rejection from a mated female fly. It is expected that the mutant male will not remember rejection and will therefore continue courtship attempts when placed with a virgin female. This research will further be used to determine whether the Frequenin protein, which is a high-affinity binding protein involved in synaptic function, has altered expression levels for dFMR1 mutants compared to control flies.
Location
University Of Windsor
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Examining Learning and Memory in Drosophila melanogaster Fragile X Mutants
University Of Windsor
Fragile X syndrome is a broad-spectrum neurological disorder, and one outcome of the Fragile X mutation is memory loss. The Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) in Drosophila Melanogaster (dFMR1) displays complete functional conservation from Drosophila to humans. A Drosophila model for Fragile X syndrome, as per the loss of the dfmr1 activity, was used to examine short-term memory defects in the mutated flies. A courtship conditioning assay will be used to test learning and memory in the dFMR1 mutant flies in order to determine whether courtship attempts decrease in response to continuous rejection from a mated female fly. It is expected that the mutant male will not remember rejection and will therefore continue courtship attempts when placed with a virgin female. This research will further be used to determine whether the Frequenin protein, which is a high-affinity binding protein involved in synaptic function, has altered expression levels for dFMR1 mutants compared to control flies.